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Why choose us?
Guaranteed small groups (max 20)
Guaranteed departures
The best, locally trained guides
4 and 5 star hotels throughout
15 years experience operating tours in Turkey
Tipping kitty included
24/7 airport transfers included
Kebabs guaranteed!
Turkey Encounters, Turkey
Explore the mystical sites of Turkey on this 15-day tour. Starting in Istanbul we travel along ancient trade routes visiting Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Fethiye before arriving in the incredible landscape of Cappadocia.
- Day 1 Arrive into Istanbul. Transfer to hotel
- Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul for the start of your trip.
OvernightIstanbul - 4 star hotel
- Day 2 Istanbul. Old city tour
- Our trip begins this morning with a full day tour of Istanbul. Lying across two continents this historically important city played an integral role in the development of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. We visit the 17th century Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya museum and explore the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans at Topkapi Palace before ending at the famous Hippodrome.
OvernightIstanbul - 4 star hotel MealsBreakfast
- Day 3 Gallipoli battlefields and memorials tour
- We depart Istanbul this morning for the drive to Gallopoli where we will receive a fully guided tour of this World War I battlefield site. Although home to some of the fiercest fighting during the War today the site is full of poignant memorials set against a subdued wooded landscape. Our tour will include the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials, ANZAC Cove, Johnston Jolly as well as The Nek and Gallipoli Museum. There will also be chance to see the original trenches and tunnels used during the war before we head to our hotel in Canakkale.
OvernightCanakkale - 4 star hotel MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- Day 4 Tour of Troy and the Acropolis of Pergamum
- This morning we make the short drive to the ancient city of Troy. Lying undiscoverd until midway through the 19th Century the excavations here brought the legend of the Trojan horse and the poems of Homer back to life. We then continue our drive south to the acropolis of Pergamum. A former kingdom we enjoy a full tour of the site including the Temple of Trajan and the famous library which is believed to have rivalled the library of Alexandria and helped shape Pergamum into a renowned cultural and political centre.
OvernightKusadasi - 4 star hotel MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- Day 5 Kusadasi. Ephesus Roman ruins tour
- After breakfast this morning we travel to the ancient Roman site of Ephesus. The city at one time housed 250,000 people and is regarded as one of the best preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean. As well as visiting the Temple of Artemis and the house of the Virgin Mary there is plenty of time to explore the ancient marble streets of this ruined Roman city. This afternoon we have the opportunity to learn about the history of carpet weaving in Turkey as we visit one of the local villages where the art is practiced.
OvernightKusadasi - 4 star hotel MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- Day 6 Drive to Pamukkale and Hieropolis
- We travel east this morning to Pamukkale, site of the well known white calcium terraces known as Travertines. Pamukkale translates as ‘cotton castles’ and the naturally occuring geology here has created cloud like formations unlike anywhere else. We then head to the ancient city of Hierapolis to enjoy a dip in the hot thermal pools lodged amongst ancient columns left by the Romans who used the pools for their therapeutic powers.
OvernightPamukkale - 5 star hotel MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- Day 7 Pamukkale. Drive to Fethiye
- We leave Pamukkale this morning and head south towards the Mediterranean coast, visiting the ancient site of Aphrodisias en-route to the coastal town of Fethiye.
OvernightFethiye - 4 star hotel MealsBreakfast
- Day 8 Fethiye
- Today you have the option to relax on a day cruise around the 12 Islands of Fethiye or experience one of Turkey’s highlights on an optional day tour to Saklikent Gorge, Turkey’s longest and deepest canyon.
OvernightFethiye - 4 star hotel MealsBreakfast
- Day 9 Fethiye. Drive to Antalya via Kayakoy
- We have a relaxing morning before taking a late afternoon drive to the resort town of Antalya, visiting the deserted Greek village of Kayakoy on the way.
OvernightAntalya - 5 star hotel MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- Day 10 Perge and Aspendos
- Today we tour the ancient ruins of Perge with its impressive stadium walls and Aspendos, known for one of the best preserved theatres of Asia Minor, still used today.
OvernightAntalya - 5 star hotel MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- Day 11 Drive to Cappadocia via konya
- Travel back in time today as we follow the ancient Silk Road towards Konya. We learn more about the history of this important trade route with a stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai before arrivingin Konya where we include a visit to the Mevlana museum – the former home of the original Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes.
OvernightCappadocia - 5 star hotel MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- Day 12 Cappadocia. Full day tour
- Today we set out to explore the beautiful and surreal landscape of Cappadocia. Unlike nowhere else on earth, this bizarre setting creates a fairytale view full of improbable rock formations and underground villages. Often described as the jewel of Turkey we have a full tour here to explore the subterrenean churches and fortresses used by Christians to avoid persecution over a thousand years ago.
OvernightCappadocia - 5 star hotel MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- Day 13 Cappadocia. Ihlara Valley and Underground city
- Today we trek through the wildly beautiful Ihlara Valley and explore the many levels of an underground city. We will be shown around the subterranean churches and fortresses used by Christians to avoid persecution over a thousand years ago.
OvernightCappadocia - 5 star hotel MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- Day 14 Drive to Ankara & Istanbul
- We leave early this morning and drive to Turkey’s capital Ankara to visit Anitkabir, mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before returning to Istanbul. An optional morning flight to Istanbul is available from Kayseri in Cappadocia.
OvernightIstanbul - 4 star hotel MealsBreakfast
- Day 15 Istanbul. Free time. Transfer to airport
- The tour ends in Istanbul today, and your time is free for some last minute shopping or sightseeing until we transfer you to the airport for your departure.
OvernightN/A MealsBreakfast
Included:
Excluded:
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- All transport and transfers
- 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
- Services of a local tour leader throughout
- Entrance fees to various sites
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Tipping kitty
Excluded:
- International Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
- Tips for guide and driver
- Any other items not mentioned above
